“Considering I’m wearing a one-of-a-kind Lorelai, I should do,” Jess teased.
“Yes, this is one of my favourite creations,” Lorelai replied. A knock banged on the door of Jess’s apartments and Leon walked in. He was perfectly put together, as usual. He wore a beautiful black tailcoat with steampunk baroque silver stitching on the cuffs, rising to his elbows. His lapels, edging, and the bottom of his coat were similarly decorated.
It was topped off with a black shirt, a black ruffled cravat, and a heavy, round silver brooch. A black velvet waistcoat completed the look with silver buttons. Leon looked as handsome as ever.
“Stunning, Jess,” he said softly.
Jess smiled as she pulled on her jewellery. It was from a shop called Elysian Dreams. The diamonds shone at her throat, ears, and wrist. A solitaire painite gem hung from the necklace, making it even more valuable.
“Thanks. Shall we make a move?” she asked with little enthusiasm.
“Wow, I feel so special. At least try to smile, Jess,” Leon teased as they left her apartment. He whirled his black walking canewith a silver handle as he gestured and spoke to her. Jess shook her head; Leon could be so affected at times. As they headed up to the tower, they passed several of their siblings who whistled at them.
Tonight would be the first time she’d left the castle since fleeing Loch Ness. Deep inside, Jess knew she’d done the right thing, but it hurt. And for eight weeks, she had moped about while Disease railed at her for not being able to infect anyone. Disease was calmer now, sulking but still fed. Luckily, it wouldn’t need feeding for a while longer. Once this evening was over and done, Jess would return to licking her wounds. She just hoped Mitch had forgotten her and moved on.
Mitch
He grimaced as Diar fussed with his bow tie. “Leave it alone!”
“I hate these things,” Diar complained as he yanked at his throat again.
“Don’t we all? Why are we attending this?” Mitch scowled.
“Because you’ve been holed up looking for your mermaid for eight weeks and basically being a grumpy, miserable bastard. I had to leave Inverness to sort your ass out after your PA threatened to quit on you,” Diar answered.
Mitch glared. The betrayal! Alice was enjoying a two-week vacation in Jamaica and no doubt sipping cocktails on the beach. He hoped she was having fun because he was planning revenge when she got back. How dare she reach out to Diar?
“Stop it now. You’ll terrify everyone with that scowl,” Diar ordered.
“Good. They can all keep a mile’s distance from me. I don’t like any of them,” Mitch retorted as he headed out to his vehicle.He’d not been able to drive the Bugatti since Jess had left. Tonight, he was driving an even more expensive car.
Diar whistled when he saw it.
“Pulling out the big guns?” Diar asked as he stared at the red Rolls-Royce La Rose Noire Droptail. “Such a beautiful colour.”
“Yeah. The family that commissioned them put them up for sale. I snatched this one,” Mitch said, running his hand over the bonnet. He climbed into the driver’s seat as Diar got in the passenger’s side.
“Drive on, Jeeves,” Diar teased, and Mitch scowled even further. “Damn, bro, give it a rest. There’ll be plenty of beautiful ladies tonight. Why not pull one—”
“Don’t go there, Diar. I will find Jess,” Mitch promised.
For eight weeks, he’d had three PIs trying to track her down, but Jess was a ghost. The film company she worked for had her Inverness address and communicated through emails, or Jess went to them and stayed in a hotel. Jess earned eighty thousand a year, so Mitch had no idea how she could afford two houses and still stay in hotels.
Jess was proving a mystery, and he didn’t like it. Not one little bit, but he was obsessed with finding her. Even if it was to look her in the eye and call her a coward, he drove to the event and sighed at all the glitter and ceremony. Mitch usually sent a cheque for things like this. Instead, Diar had dragged him out.
They waited ten minutes until they pulled up at the entrance. The valet’s eyes went wide.
“Damn again? This is the second one tonight I’ve gotten to drive!” he exclaimed.
“There’s another La Rose Noire Droptail here?” Mitch demanded, pausing.
“Yeah.” The kid looked around and leaned closely. “Leon Ericks is here,” he whispered.
Mitch pursed his lips and nodded. Well, that was a shock. The man rumoured to be the richest guy in the world was as elusive as a unicorn. He and Diar exchanged glances. This evening might be amusing after all. Mitch was well known for being a recluse, but everyone knew Diar would drag him out occasionally.
However, Leon Ericks was so rarely seen that some people thought he was a myth.
“Nice,” Diar said and offered the valet two fifty-pound notes. “Keep her safe; he’ll meltdown if she’s scratched.”
